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February 08, 2013

KooGa interest remains, benefits to follow

INTERNATIONAL sporting brand, KooGa Australia, is looking forward to setting up operations in Fiji once the legal processes are complete.

The company revealed plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Fiji last October but were yet to formalise operations.

Chief executive officer Kim Brant said they were still in the application process to legally operate in the country.

"We are not sure about the number of people to be employed at this stage until the plant is set up. There will be staff from Australia for training purposes," he said from Australia yesterday.

"At the moment, KooGa team wear would be more expensive than local brands. Once manufacturing starts, I can guarantee that KooGa will be the brand of choice when comparing quality and price.

"In terms of sponsorship, we are still the apparel sponsors to the Fiji Rugby Union but would certainly look at local sponsorships once operations start."

Mr Brant said he could not estimate the monetary value of investment into the local economy but maintained it would "be significant".

He said they were looking at investing heavily in Fiji which would help other companies and suppliers. "There are four main benefits Fiji will see from this venture — increased employment and investment into the Fiji economy, a KooGa team wear range that will meet and better current prices in Fiji, a better performance product for all sports teams in Fiji and increased sponsorship of Fiji teams across all sports," he said earlier.

"KooGa is owned by the Brant family in Australia. The Brant's call Fiji their second home and travel to Fiji on their family holiday every year.

"They have a great deal of affection for the warm and generous people of Fiji."